If you are a restaurant or bar owner who is feeling the heat this summer, you may be considering a commercial ice machine. However, you may also be a little confused about how they work and what different types of machines are available. To set the record straight, here's everything you need to know about commercial ice machines:
How do commercial ice machines work?
Commercial ice machines make incredibly high quality ice. They do so by running water on a surface that is 0 degrees, ensuring that only water without impurities freezes. Impure water is then purified and run on the surface again. Evaporator machines are then used to ensure that air and non-pure solids are removed, resulting in pure, clear ice sheets. Commercial machines different types of ice, for example, cubes, flakes or nuggets.
What types of ice machines are available?
The two most commonly used commercial ice machines are cube machines and flake machines.
Cube Ice Machine
Cube ice machines are both the most popular, and smallest, types of commercial machines, due mostly to their wide-ranging use.
Cube ice machines give the user the option of a standard full ice cube or a half ice cube. Some manufacturers may even offer variations on these; for example, crescent shaped ice cubes or cylindrical cubes that are elegant looking and considered appropriate for cocktail drinks.
Cube ice is particularly popular at restaurants, both sit down and fast food, as well as in bars and nightclubs. This is because it is the longest lasting and hardest type of ice and is ideal for placing in beverages. It is also extensively used for outdoor events, in eskies and tubs, where electricity may not be available for freezers or fridges.
Flake Ice Machine
Flake ice machines typically use a mixture of brine and water to make ice. Flake machines only produce one type of flake ice, with some slight variations in thickness and shape.
The soft, small flakes produced by flake ice machines have a wide variety of uses. These include the following:
- Cooling seafood: For restaurant owners displaying seafood, flake ice is an efficient and visually appealing method to display your wares. Flake ice can also be made from sea water, to ensure the preservation of your seafood.
- Food Transportation: Due to its soft nature, flake ice is ideal for transporting food or drinks to another bar or restaurant site.
- Cooling salad or dessert: Flake ice also often used in salad or dessert bars to keep items cool
- During baking: Flake ice can also be used to prevent flour from self-raising during baking.
A commercial ice maker is an efficient, effective way of cooling a multitude of items in your restaurant this summer. For more information, contact a business such as Ice Machines Australia.
